08 Jul 2021

HB Antwerp intends to help transform Botswana from a mineral-based to a knowledge-based economy, says company managing partner Mr Rafael Papismedov.

Mr Papismedov, a diamond expert, was speaking during unveiling of Lucara Botswana’s newly-found 1 174 carat diamond to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and cabinet in Gaborone on Wednesday.

HB Antwerp, he explained,  was a technology-intensive company with extensive experience in the diamond industry determined to help Botswana youth to reconceive the way diamonds were sourced, manufactured and traded. 

The company’s  dream was to develop the youth of Botswana which would ultimately benefit the country, he said. 

Mr Papismedov said HB Antwerp  would train locals and bring advanced technology that would benefit the entire country. 

Technology would help with the planned focus on end-to-end supply chain management, he said. 

Meanwhile, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Lefhoko Moagi has thanked Lucara Botswana and Debswana for discovering big stones in their productions saying it was encouraging for the economy.

He commended engineers for toiling to find such big stones.

Minister Moagi said it would take engineers and the right technology to bring out more big stones. 

He therefore urged engineers to take their rightful place and sell their expertise to the mining industry. 

Lucara Botswana’s latest find  is said to be 77 by 55 by 33 millimetres and the third 1 000-plus carat to emerge from Karowe Mine in recent years. Ends